The TV buzzes. Static crawls across the screen for half a second before the reporter's face stabilises. His smile looks forced. His eyes don't match his voice.
TV Reporter: We won't be seeing the asteroid today because… um… NASA mistakenly shot it, and it changed its route to a different location.
A brief silence fills the room.
Henry: Shot it out? What does that even mean?
Noah: I told you. NASA has illegal weapons, and it's exporting them from alien planets.
Mito exhales, shoulders dropping.
Mito: He almost scared me… I thought there would be another lockdown. COVID-20 or something.
Izan: Lol, if that ever happens, I'd turn rogue. Most probably, Noah and I would be a duo.
For a second, the word "rogue" hangs heavier than it should.
Noah: Ew? Teaming up with you? Even a trash can would reject you.
Izan: That's funny, considering you're the one acting like a lid.
Noah: That's a lot of words just to admit you're the trash in this scenario.
Izan: You're really committed to this garbage sh*t. Is this your whole personality, or just a hobby?
Mito: Enough of this!!! Why are you guys fighting like a motley? Izan, you just told him you'd be a duo with him, and what's this now?
Izan: You're right. I shouldn't be arguing with him. It's just a waste of breath.
Henry: Don't do it, Mito. I'm enjoying their fight.
Mito: This is the reason why I don't like you.
Henry: Hey! I'm kidding. I didn't mean it.
Megan: CAN YOU ALL STOP? It's time to celebrate. We can all go to school from tomorrow.
Izan: Yeah-
Megan: Please stop this sh*t.
Izan: Sorry…
Mito: Yeah… we apologise.
Henry: I- I've got plenty of dollars. I think we can hit the café nearby?
Izan: Drinks on me.
Henry: I need an espresso.
Noah: Cheesecakes on me.
Mito: Good. Let's go then.
Megan: Hmm…
Inside Hu-Lu Lab
Scientist 1: Are you sure you want to do this?
Scientist 2: I'm sure… we've lost everything. There's nothing left to lose now.
Scientist 1: But we're going to bring up something more dangerous than the last one.
Scientist 2: Didn't you see? Humanity is the only reason nature is destroying itself.
A man rushes toward them in rage.
Man: I lost my family, you fu*king bastard!!! They- they died… they were calling my name…
Scientist 2: Security!!!! There's an intruder here.
The man grabs his collar and spits on him.
Man: Call them, you f*cking pig. I'll end you all today.
Scientist 2: The matter has been solved.
Scientist 2 pushes him. The man slips and falls.
Scientist 2: You know why people shouldn't mess with doctors and scientists?
The man tries to get up.
Scientist 2: Because they know more about harming than treating…
He grabs a scalpel.
Scientist 1: Sir, it-
The man looks at the badge.
Hao Yang - Director Scientist
Man: You son of a- So you're Hao…
Hao: Too late. You've messed with the wrong person.
Clinch.
Man: What the f*ck-
Tentacle-like structures bind his legs.
Hao smiles.
Hao: It's been a while since I satisfied myself. You're going to satisfy me.
Man: I dare you to kill me.
In a blink, Hao is in front of him.
Hao: I love your eyes…
He stabs the scalpel into them.
Hao: Mind if I take them?
Blood rushes out with the eyeballs and nerves.
Man: AARRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Hao:Sī shēng zǐ.
He starts counting the nerves.
Hao: One… two… three… four… five… six… seven-
The man tears a tentacle and stabs Hao's foot.
Hao: You impressed me. Let's see how much pain you can tolerate.
Hao laughs.
Hao: Oh… this is gonna be fun.
At the café
Henry: Woah! So your father is now a senior scientist?
Mito: Director scientist, you dumbo.
Henry: That's so cool.
Izan: So that means he can come to Vianna whenever he wants?
Mito: I don't know. He might stay there for a few more years.
Henry: Why doesn't he build a lab in Vianna?
Mito: He can't. He tried, but failed.
Izan: People of Vianna won't let him live peacefully. It's better he stays there.
Noah: Obviously. After all, he was involved in creating the life-sucking virus.
Izan: Hey, the cheesecake is delicious.
Noah: No matter the ignorance, the truth can't be hidden, Izan.
Izan: Please stop!
Mito: It's alright!
Izan: Ugh… Mito.
Mito: I agree he was involved… but we lost too. My mom… my brother… my whole family died. It's just me and my dad who's left.
Henry: Hey… It's alright.
Noah: I didn't mean to-
Notification sound.
Megan: Guys…
You gotta read this.
Megan shows her phone.
Everyone looks at the message, shocked.